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PC MINS 19890314PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 14, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. by Chairperson Wike at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes. PRESENT: Von Hagen, Wike, McNulty, Ortolano, Connolly Also present were Environmental Services Director Robert Benard, Planning Administrator Curtis Williams, Senior Planner Greg Fuz, Associate Planner Laurie Brigham and Assistant Planner Marcia Smith. COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Wike stated that there were no communications received. Environmental Services Director Robert Benard introduced 11r. Curtis Williams. Mr. Benard stated that Mr. Williams will be the Department's new Planning Admini- strator. CONSENT CALENDAR: Minutes of January 24, 1989 The minutes of the meeting held January 24, 1989, were submitted, with the following amendments proposed by Chairperson Wike: Page One - under "Communications" - letter from Sunshine - Item 4 should read: (4) letter from Sunshine which included a position on horses on Crestridge, and safety issues for horses on the street. A verbatim insert was introduced by Chairperson Wike as a statement she made at the meeting and which she wanted precisely transcribed into the minutes. • 0 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 14, 1989 Page 2 Page Two - Paragraph Seven, insertion following "too many independent living units." and deletion of sentence beginning with "She suggested..." ending with "excavated." and insert the following: "She was concerned that no alternative design had been presented since the City Council denied the three parcel split. A suggestion that the Marriott may consider replacing the Hospital on the flat pad at the corner of Crenshaw - parcel 2, bridging the traffic over the extreme slope. This may reduce the amount of soil export from this site. It was also suggested rearranging the independent living units and place them on either side of the community center and reduce the walking distance between the units for elderly residents." Environmental Services Director Benard emphasized that these are action and not verbatim minutes. Commissioners Von Hagen and McNulty concurred with Mr. Benard on this point, stating that to allow adding verbatim inserts to the minutes could possibly lead to a dangerous precedent. Motion was made by Commissioner Ortolan and seconded by Chairperson Wike to approve the minutes of the meeting held January 24, 1989 with the amendments as presented. Motion passed 3-2. Commissioners Von Hagen and McNulty dissented. Motion was made by Commissioner Ortolan and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to approve the minutes of the meeting held January 31, 1989. Motion passed unanimously. is Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 14, 1989 Page 3 PUBLIC HEARINGS A. VARIANCE NO. 223 1908 Lasita The Staff report was waived. Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing. Bob Lucin, 1908 Lasita, presented pictures to the Commission members taken from his garage and stated that his request would not make it difficult to access the garage directly due to the cul-de-sac configuration of the street, and further added that vehicles would not hang over onto the street from the apron of the garage. Chairperson Wike closed the public hearing. Motion was made by Commissioner Ortolano and seconded by Commissioner McNulty to support Staff's recommendation to deny the application. Passed unanimously. Discussion ensued following the motion by the Commissioners regarding establishing a precedent if this variance were approved. It was noted that if cars were parked on the garage apron they would hang over the public right-of-way, furthermore, cars would need to back directly into the street. It was also noted that if special mitigation was given in this case, it would be difficult to enforce. Chairperson Wike informed the applicant that his application for the Variance had been denied and that he had 15 days to appeal to the City Council. B. VARIANCE NO. 225 GRADING NO. 1210 1920 Delasonde The Staff report was waived. Chairperson Wike opened the pubic hearing. Philip Gravett, 1920 Delasonde Drive, stated that he was unaware that permits were required for construction of a retaining wall, thus the reason he started the grading. He noted that work on this construction ceased approximately four months ago and that the disarray of the property had caused family problems Chairperson Wike closed the public hearing. 0 r-7 L-A Pla 1 - 7n ommission Ma ch 14, 1989 Pa re4 Meeting minutes 11 Commissioner Ortolano expressed that it was her belief that a clear and thorough staff analysis had not been supplied, and proposed that this item be continued until such a time as the applicant had been educated by Staff as to what was required of him. Several members stated that due to the special circumstances of this case, a decision should be expedited, and that a continuance of this item would be unsuitable. Motion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to approve the variance with the following modifications: from the front property line the wall shall step up to six feet and continue for six feet back 24 lineal feet, the remaining retaining wall to the rear will be allowed no higher than 42 inches. Motion passed 3-2. Commissioner Ortolano and Chairperson Wike dissented. Mr. Benard stated that a resolution will be brought back to the Commission at the next meeting with the language precisely stated. C. Variance No. 219 Coastal Permit No. 63 4118 Maritime The Staff report was waived. Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing. Richard D. Farman, 4187 Maritime Road, expressed concerns of two of Staff's conditions, those being Condition No. 2 - The landowner shall submit a notarized Liability Waiver prior to issuance of a building permit; and Condition No. 4 - A Covenant limiting the total habitable area of the building to 2128 square feet shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental services prior to the issuance of building permit. Chairperson Wike closed the public hearing. Motion was made by Commissioner Von Hagen and seconded by Commissioner McNulty to approve Staff's recommendation No. 3 with conditions. Passed unanimously. Chairperson Wike informed the applicant that he has 15 days to appeal the decision to the City Council. 0 • Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 14, 1989 Page 5 D. Development Code Amendment No. 29 Fences, Walls and Hedges • Mr. Fuz stated that three items were being distributed at this time, since they did not go out with the packet. 1 - A letter from Mr. Gilster summarizing his testimony at the previous meeting. 2 - A copy of the Development Code section which applies to Walls, Fences and Hedges. 3 - Per Chairperson Wike's request, the first two pages of the Staff report submitted on February 28 summarizing the City Attorney's comments. Mr. Fuz presented the staff report. Mr. Fuz also reported on two items which were raised after the packets were sent out to the Commission members. 1. The City Attorney stated that it is appropriate to focus regulation on just one particular property line, mainly the rear, rather than address the rear and side property lines. However, he suggested to change the proposed language for more clarification as follows: Proposed Section A - to read: Delete "with a common rear property line" continue to 11 ..parallel to the rear property line" and insert "of the upslope view lot...". Mr. Fuz stated that this would clarify that the upslope lot view is the view that the City is tryina to protect. 2. Mr. Fuz also recommended that in order to make this proposal more consistent, the Commission might want to change, under the same proposed Section A, "primary view" to read "principal identifiable view." E • Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 14, 1989 Page 6 3. Mr. Fuz provided a perspective on other cities policies regarding this issue and concluded that the City's proposal is in accordance with other local communities practices. In conclusion, Mr. Fuz emphasized Staff's concern that a case by case review without amortization provisions can create a significant administrative workload in the implementation and enforcement of this amendment. Before opening the public hearing, Chairperson Wike identified four points on which she wanted to hear public input on. Chairperson Wike stated that her points were as foliows: 2. 3.; U 4 Require fencing/wall permits with. a minimal No fencing in the front 20 feet of setback. fee. New developments should have fencing in 90% open to light and air with landscaping to provide security and privacy. No amortization period for new development. Chairperson Wike opened the public hearing. Joyce Fink and George Fink, 32353 Searaven Drive, stated that they were in accordance with the amendment with modifications as specified in a manuscript provided to the Commission. Mrs. Fink also invited the Commission members to visit the area in question. The following residents expressed concern with the lack of privacy that the amendment would create. Mr. Stefano Finazzo, 2175 Rocking Horse Road Mr. Agostino Vaccaro, 2142 Rocking Horse Road Chairperson Wike initiated the discussion by the Commission members by identifying the reasons for her request that discussion be centered on her four ��os.nts. They are as follows: 1. Permits should be required with a minimal fee in order to minimize costs to the public, since the potential exists for wall/fence permits to be requested. 0 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 14, 1989 Page 7 2. No walls in the front 20 feet of setback - This would preserve some of rural character of the Peninsula. 3. 90% open light and air fencing for new developments - Since a "walled" communitv seems to be evolving in certain parts of the City. Commissioner McNulty argued with this point, stating that privacy would be jeopardized if this was the case. 4. No amortization since this would apply only to new development. Commissioner Connolly, stated that he wished to address the issues at hand only and stated that he completely supports the 90% light and air concept. Commissioner Von Hagen stated that he believes that the City is heading in the right direction with this proposal. Commissioner McNulty stated that he was appreciative of the proposal presented to the Commission in view of the difficult issues to be dealt with. Commissioner Ortolano stated that she understood Chairperson Wike's comments in regards to the four points, but agreed with the other Commissioners, that they were beyond the scope of the task in front of the Commission at this time, and suggested that a workshop may be the appropriate approach to deal with these issues. With regard to the proposed Staff amendment, Commissioner Ortolano urged that the recommendation to replace primary view with principal identifiable view be adopted. In conclusion, the Commission concurred that the term "primary view" should be changed to "principal identifiable view". Regarding Commissioner Ortolano's suggestion of terraced lots, it was recommended that Staff bring back to the Commission a definition of terraced lots. The Commission concurred with the City Attorney's revision under Item A. Notion was made by Commissioner McNulty and seconded by Commissioner Von Hagen to continue the item to March 28, 1989. • r Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 14, 1989 Page 8 • • • A recess was taken from 10:20 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. Due to the lateness of the hour, it was determined that NEW BUSINESS be addressed at the next meeting and be placed on the agenda as Continued Business. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 4734 5014 Silver Arrow Associate Planner Laurie Brigham presented the Staff report. In conclusion Ms. Brigham stated that Staff recommends that the dish be relocated at a maximum height of 20 feet and painted a dark brown or black. She further stated that Staff believes that the applicant would still receive a reasonable signal reception in location "D-211. Don Wolf, 5014 Silver Arrow Drive, reiterated his disagreement with Staff's evaluation. Motion was made by Commissioner Ortolan and seconded by Commissioner Connolly to approve Staff's recommendation. Motion passed 4-1. Commissioner Von Hagen dissented. The meeting was duly adjourned at 11:15 P.M. to March 28, 1989.